Nicolas Cage, Steve Carell may film in Pittsburgh (York, Penn: credit, movies)

[Blackbeauty212]

Nicolas Cage, Steve Carell may film in Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Business Times

New York-based production company Likely Story Inc. has been awarded a $4 million tax credit to shoot “Frank or Francis” in Allegheny County, according to public investment records with the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, which oversees the state’s film tax credit program.

“Nothing is ever 100 percent in this business until you have boots on ground,” said Bregman, who has worked with Kaufman on past projects and whose last film was the summer comedy “Our Idiot Brother,” which starred Paul Rudd. “But we’re planning to shoot it there.”
He expects to begin scouting for locations in the next month and start shooting “Frank or Francis” in early February, estimating an eight- to nine-week production schedule.
Adding it’s “impossible” to shoot anywhere these days without tax incentives, Bregman described Pittsburgh as the right place to shoot aesthetically, and he said it has good crews, along with its tax credit program.

“Frank or Francis” follows what has been a very busy year for film production in Pittsburgh, which hosted the Batman shoot this summer and is currently hosting “One Shot,” starring Tom Cruise. Sources indicate “One Shot” has been seeking to do the longest chase scene ever in a film.
Donna Belajac, who runs a Downtown-based casting company that has been active in Pittsburgh’s film scene for years, described 2011 as her busiest year ever, which followed two very busy years.
“It’s unusual to be this consistently busy,” said Belajac, noting the region’s colder seasons have typically seen less film production here.
“Even in historically slow times, we’ve been busy.”

[BrianTH]

Maybe it is just me, but I feel like Batman really broke things open in terms of Pittsburgh being known as a place where you could not only get tax credits, but also support in terms of crew, extras, local government cooperation, and so on.

In any event, regardless of the reasons, it is great this has become a steady industry.

[BrianTH]

Sounds like an interesting movie, incidentally:

Charlie Kaufman’s ‘Frank or Francis’ Script Details | Screen Rant

[FreightTrainRunning]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

Sounds like an interesting movie, incidentally:

Charlie Kaufman’s ‘Frank or Francis’ Script Details | Screen Rant

Charlie Kaufman's movies are always at the very least, interesting.

[gallacus]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

Maybe it is just me, but I feel like Batman really broke things open in terms of Pittsburgh being known as a place where you could not only get tax credits, but also support in terms of crew, extras, local government cooperation, and so on.

In any event, regardless of the reasons, it is great this has become a steady industry.

Not sure if it was Batman that did it or not, but it is definitely becoming known in the industry as a place with excellent crew and local cooperation. Combine that with the tax credits and it's almost a no-brainer, unless your script calls for a geography that Pittsburgh can't handle (e.g. tropical, beach, plains, etc.)

In the video below, WPXI asks Christopher McQuarrie why he chose Pittsburgh as the location for "One Shot," and his answer confirms this (around 30 seconds in):


Exclusive- Tom Cruise Takes Off In Helicopter From WPXI-TV Pittsburgh - YouTube

[BrianTH]

I know the reputation started building before Batman too--in fact it was part of why Batman ended up shooting here. So I may be overemphasizing that particular event, although I did see a bunch of coverage of Nolan's decision to drop Chicago in favor of Pittsburgh, which I thought ended up really helping Pittsburgh market its local film resources.

[gallacus]

I agree, a movie that big definitely gets people's attention.

In reference to this film, looks like Jack Black is also signed on, most-likely as the role of the obnoxious blogger. I'm definitely excited to see this one get put together as his movies are some of my favorites.

[Blackbeauty212]

I'm just glad Pittsburgh is playing Pittsburgh in a lot of these more recent movies....No longer are just a stand in city for some place else (save for Batman)

[BrianTH]

I agree the movie seems to have a fun mix of actors, and I like the idea of exploring the Internet and anger through this lens.

[PreservationPioneer]

I just wish Nicole Kidman would come here. *Sigh*